Mac Jones, formerly of the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, has embarked on a new chapter of his NFL career, signing with the San Francisco 49ers for two years, with the deal reportedly worth $7 million, including $5 million of guaranteed money. This agreement, announced on March 12, 2025, positions Jones as the likely backup to starter Brock Purdy, as the 49ers look to bolster their quarterback depth.
After being traded from New England to Jacksonville last season following the dismissal of longtime head coach Bill Belichick, Jones found playing time as the Jaguars’ starter when Trevor Lawrence suffered injuries. Despite managing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions during his tenure there, the Jaguars ended with a 2-5 record under Jones's leadership. The young quarterback accumulated 1,672 yards over 10 games but underwhelming performances led to questions about his future.
Taking the opportunity to sign with the 49ers marks a significant turnaround for Jones, who originally entered the NFL with high expectations. Selected at No. 15 overall by the Patriots during the 2021 Draft, he had a standout rookie season, leading to Pro Bowl honors after throwing for over 3,800 yards with 22 touchdowns. That year, he guided New England to the playoffs, where they faced elimination by the Buffalo Bills.
Yet, after his strong debut, Jones experienced difficulties with consistency, marked by coaching changes and ensuing performance declines. His second year saw him benched for backup Bailey Zappe, and he finished the 2023 season without being viewed as the franchise's long-term solution.
Meanwhile, the 49ers, fresh off a successful season where they advanced to the Super Bowl, saw their quarterback situation shift last year when their backups, Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen, entered free agency. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the 49ers capitalized on the opportunity to secure Jones, who they had expressed interest in during the 2021 NFL Draft when they were positioned with the third pick before opting for Trey Lance.
Jones, now reunited with the coach who deliberated over whether to draft him, Kyle Shanahan, gets the chance to reinvigorate his career. Shanahan previously stated, "Mac and Trey were the two guys we were locked in on from the beginning," highlighting the weight of expectations Jones now faces. The 49ers must have viewed this signing as beneficial for potential depth at the quarterback position, especially with Purdy's status still under contract negotiations as he seeks to secure his future with the organization after leading them to the championship game last season.
The financial structure of Jones's contract reflects the team's strategic approach: $7 million over two years, also laced with performance incentives possibly eleviating the maximum value to $11.5 million. This arrangement not only serves as safety insurance for Purdy but could also provide Jones the playtime and visibility required to revitalize his standing around the league.
Although the expectation is for Jones to play minimal snaps barring injury, his signing seems like a pragmatic choice for both him and the 49ers as they set out to endure another rigorous NFL season. The San Francisco media is buzzing with this 'second chance' narrative, speculating whether Jones's past errors will haunt him or if he can finally transform the script on his up-and-down NFL narrative.
Overall, Mac Jones's adoption by the San Francisco 49ers feels like not only another chapter for him but also another reflective moment for NFL synapses as his career continues to evolve. His prior failures followed by new beginnings are emblematic of the unpredictable nature of the NFL.
With the 49ers having opted for Jones, it reveals their strategic commitment to navigate without being hindered by past recruiting missteps. This procurement might just push Jones to fully upscale his play, making for potentially interesting dynamics within the 2025 NFL season.